Pro and cons, not as versatile as usual vms as they cannot host different kernal or OS guest. Container file system is very efficient, but cannot use system snapshots like hardware virtualization. Not much overhead as requests are made by normal means from virtual partition to OS - no emulation.

Now this is the stuff that I´m talking about! It seems like a very interesting tool, now we need to get some reviews. I´m guessing that I won´t be able to install it inside a VM? Of course, trust also plays a big role, I haven´t really found that much info on the web, so everone be careful.

But the idea sure seems cool and exciting, I wonder if it can really isolate all the virtual OSes from each other. Also, it doesn´t make use of a hypervisor, I thought that this was necessary for better security.

Container file system is very efficient, but cannot use system snapshots like hardware virtualization.

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I´ve read that with Hyper V (from M$) it´s possible to create snapshots, and I thought Hyper V also was OS virtualization? I´m a bit confused.

i agree with rasheed187 this actually looks cool (not to mention useful). is this freeware, shareware or payware? i couldn't tell from visiting the site.

man if this thing protects the mbr against viruses like killdisk and can withstand the various "robodog" type viruses that defy most virtualization software, i'll freaking buy 4 licenses right now! i could setup my family's pcs without having to worry about LUA + SRP software issues!

man if this thing protects the mbr against viruses like killdisk and can withstand the various "robodog" type viruses that defy most virtualization software, i'll freaking buy 4 licenses right now! i could setup my family's pcs without having to worry about LUA + SRP software issues!

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I am almost sure that it can,t do that. Malware sccessing the HD at deep level will usually bypass such applications. Just my guess though.

rendez2k wrote:Hi, I'm just about to give iCore a test, but have a few questions:

Hi,rendez2k.Thank you for your interest.

1. If iCore just references the original XP files rather than making a copy of them, if something bad happens to my host OS, this will also effect iCore?

1. this is not necessarily so
It you have changed file on virtual computer, then when this file changes inside host OS, this changes aren't visible for virtual computer.

2. Likewise, if I install a new bit of software in iCore that makes changes to core XP files (good or bad), this will again effect both OS's? In this is the case, how good is iCore for testing software?

Now you can't install new software in iCore virtual computer that makes changes to core XP files.
Now you can install only application. It's common feature of OS-level virtualization.

But we are close to start support system software installation inside iCore virtual computers. For example, this will allow you to change to install different antiviruses inside different virtual computers.

3. Does iCore protect against things like virus, MBR altering programs and programs like killdisk (I assume not very well if again, XP files are just referenced)

Yes, it does.
If your Virtual Computer is infected with a virus or any malicious program, any such programs will stay inside of this Virtual Computer without spreading to the rest of your PC.
Killdisk must format only your virtual disk.

4. At the moment the software appears to be free. Is it in beta?

At the moment the software is private beta. Of course, it is free.

Will it eventually become payware?

It seems that some versions will free, others became payware.

5. Any plans to release a USB version like MojoPac?

We can do version like MojoPac. But now we work on improving stability and features addition to our basic version.

Further update - a new version may be out by the end of the week, including:

1. Fixed problems with .Net, "Wallpaper-problem"...
2. Added option to choose VDD size.
3. We try to include services virtualization(one of the results is the ability to install system software on virtual computer).

3. Does iCore protect against things like virus, MBR altering programs and programs like killdisk (I assume not very well if again, XP files are just referenced)

Yes, it does.
If your Virtual Computer is infected with a virus or any malicious program, any such programs will stay inside of this Virtual Computer without spreading to the rest of your PC.
Killdisk must format only your virtual disk.

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very nice! who cares if the virtual computer gets killed by killdisk as long as the real system is nice and safe, cool

and this caught my eye too :

It seems that some versions will free, others became payware.

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this is fair. that means users can mess around with a freeware version and if they like it upgrade to the full version (just like geswall). awesome!

Just tried it,but what can i say....its just in the baby phase.....first its very slow loading between user switch,second most app. load remarkable slow or does'nt work at all i.e. opera give an error message(can't find bla,bla),there has to be done much work on it to get it even in alpha,now for the moment i pass though,but admit that the whole idea is promising.

Then its almost useless,most app.install services and often drivers,to test app. is then too big a claim.

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This is all true, but the developers are aware of its shortcomings (they have really good forum support) and they have big ideas for future versions. If they achieve just some of it, it will be a killer app. Maybe report the software you had issues with? I did and they are looking at fixes for it.

I also didn't find it slow switching between users and I was testing on an old P4 machine with 128mb ram! Maybe just another beta issue...

1. rendez2k, thank you for information us about this thread.
2. Thanks all for interest. Thank you for trying out iCore.
3. I inform developers from our stuff about your problems.
Let's discuss your troubleshooting with iCore.

We know why some of your problems are arise. And it fixed or will be fixed.

a.Problems with wallpapers and some others users settings are arise because winlogon service our developers didn't virtualize. It fixed in coming version.

b. Problems with some applications are arise, because there are some mistakes in our register virtualization. We have found the most of them and fixed.
It will be cool if you send relevant portion of log: support(at)icoresoftware.com

c.

I tried it in a VM machine. Installed fine. Any attempt to log in to the other machines, resulted in a BSOD. Not encouraging to say the least.

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It's possible that we use now static Virtual Disk Driver. When you try to log in
to the other machines, icore did't find 2Gb for VDD.
In coming version we inform users about it.
It will be cool if you mail relevant portion of log: support(at)icoresoftware.com

4. We try to release next version soon.

5. It's private beta.
We work on improving stability and functionality.

changed restart dialog message
added notification by Eventlog services and system tray messages
added virtualization of named pipesadded virtual services support: The current list of services which are preinstalled in Virtual Computers:

Thanks! So in reality with the new virtual services support, what kind of applications should and shouldn't be installable now? Are there any issues you're aware about, off certain application not installing? Should a new VM now carry accross all the settings and software properly?